Vent valve for torpedoes



V Feb. zo, 1923.

f 1,445,936 w. DIETER VENT VALVE FOR TORPEDOES Filed Mar. 5, 1922 2 sheets-sheen 1 Feb. 20, 1923.

W. DIETER VENT VALVE FOR TORPEDOES I 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Mar-. 5, 1922 INVENTOR [yi/afm kfar By Attorneys,

Patented Feb. 20, 1923.

WIILIAM marian, or .inns

coRroRA'rroN, e CORPORATION or DELiraniani` EY, nssrenon To 'vfIfrTIliii'el`Dietr'niiciiiixfnit'1l l VENT-'VALVE non ToRPEDoEs. i

Application inedA March s, 192:2. 'serial No. 540,912.4

To all 'io/omit may concern."` l

Be it known that l, Winnaar Din'riin, a citizen of the United States jot America, residing in Newark, in the county oit Essex and State of New`- Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vent l'alves for Torpedoeajof which the followingl is a speciiication. Y l

This, invention 'provides means for vent ing pressure from ay liquid compartment in an 1automobile torpedo, so' that if any leakage [of compressed air V,should 'occur yinto such compartment, suchr leakage will be' Vented tothe exteriorl and will not result in l5 'any disadvantageous expulsion of the liquid. The improved Vent ,device is designed les`{' 'eciz illy for the Water compartment of 'torpedo of the' Bliss-'Leavitt type,v such as are standard in th@ United States Navy. v This Water compartment is mostconveniently located justaftthe compressed air reservoir or flask, Where -a leakage oiE air through the joints would come-directly into the .Water compartment. Jaccording to thev resent invention, such: leakage is vented into the afterbody of the torpedo so as to avoid generating any pressure in the Water 'compartment prior to the launching of the torpedo. The construction and advantages of the improved vent will be made clear as the description proceeds,

Figurell of the accompanying drawings is a Vertical longitudinal mid-section of am fragment of a torpedo, the partsbeing reartions;

Fig. Q is, a vertical longitudinal section upon a. much larger scale, of thelvent valve in its normal venting position;

Fig.` 3 is a similar 'View showing the partslin a different position.

Referring first tof-Figure l, A indicates the shell -or hull of the. torpedo and B the` reservoiijor flask of compressed; air. From f nozZle/mt-hrough whichfiiuel"is sprayed oi-.'.

5 this'iflaskan-outlet-pipe a leads-to apressurefredueing1'valve' G `by Whiclifthe airpressuref in `thef-flaskI isbreduced to a loweru aiid uniform pressure.'l Fronif the 10W vpressure side-oic this-valve leads a pipey 0 b Whichextends Hteethe heater or super#` a pipe c leads y In: operatioin-fonthe laune' -inofheater D, and from the latterl to theengine (fnot-i shoWn'-)-;- whiclris" coni`v monly a turbinaand by which the screw 'and engine at. the

ranged so as to clearly show their connecpiropelleis are driven in theV well-knownr manner. At some suitable point i-n the pipe- .55 or passage o is introduced a startingvalvc E 'which may be of any knoWnconstruction, and VWherey the airis admitted to the h eateisg'. instant of launching the torpedo; ,i .Y :.60 TNithin aA strong-'container F -isprovidedthelusual enclosure Jfor the Water andiliquid fuel. This is commonly formed-byientendml ing the air flask B rearwardly in thehforrn` .otra cylindrical Wall `dghaving a flange to'. 65 'which vis securely attached -a disk or yheady e; A chamber@ Vformed Within this container@ vF vis subdivided into twosconpartmenhts 1K. by a partition H y oi.l comparatively tliiiiu metal, such as metal sheet or plate', Whiclil70 is preferably constructed in the. form of annular -Vesselvhaving a central openin'goforV the i'ree `passage through it ofthe pipeap and which is su aported Within the container y F in any suitablle nianner,`asby bracketsff f,.- The partition or vessel Htlius dividesnthe chamber G into vtwo compartments, -anouterfg.; compartment l', and rair-inner compartment y J. lny the` construction'-'shoWns the ',outeiu compartment I isdesigned, to.y holdzfwaterrso land the inner compartinentdto holdl alcohol or other combustible -uidywbut this Fai'-l Y' rangementl may` be reversed by.' suitably al-tnv, tering the respective pipe connections which deseribedw- -v '-I y i i In the reducedpressure]pipefZiA-:is formed a slight contractionoi'- choking -g anddie-l tween *thisv and the reducing' valve a p branch leads to a Valve-shell i whei'efthe duct 4branchesandyfleads totwo valves l( 90 and LY From the valvev 3K. ai1pipefa-flead Ito the fuel ,tankor compartment Ja *From/,-

the 'valve-L a-` pipe 'Zi leads yinto the wvatei'if.

space er compartment l. 1 :From the .bottom of the fuel c'onipartinent l there. vleadsa 95 pipej in W-h-i'chis introduced a.checkivalveIA M,'and-`Which pipefy' leads thence'toa fuel otherwise introduce-d into the heater-f vvFrom frs [the bottoni of the Water Vcompartment l leadst'l-OO 4 a pipe 'g;"``in"vhich "isintroducedgia: check.l y

D l I Re pedo oompresed air isadniitted througlithe.- 'Y

starting valve E to the reducing valverC, and flows thence through the heater to the engine; compressed air under the reduced pressure flows through the pipe L and divides at z', and, flows through the pipes and Z into the respective fuel and water compartments, and thereby exerts a pressure upon the fuel and water whereby the fuel is ejected through the pipe y' to the heater and the water is ejected through the pipe p to the heater. The pressure available for thus forcing out the fuel andV water is'rthat due to the difference in pressures on opposite sidesV of the constriction g, this pressure being sufficient to cause a uniform and moderate butsufticient flow of both fuel and water during the entire time which the run of the torpedo should take. A suitable igniter (not shown) automatically igntes the fuel upon its iii-st admissionto the heater, so that a erce combustion is maintained in the heater, whereby the air circulating through it is heated to ahigh degree and the spray of water is converted into steam; the commingling steam, air and gases flow thence to the engine or turbine in a volume so increased as to notably augment the power developed thereby.

The function of the check valves M and l is to prevent any outflow of water or fuel to the heater prior to the turning on of compressed air at the instant of launching. The valves K and L are to prevent any possible back-flow of water or fuel into the pipes h and b, such 4as might occur in handling of the torpedo prior to launching in case it were rolled over. Each of these four valves therefore isheld closed by a spring of sufficient strength to prevent any such flow of liquid through the valves by reason merely of the weight of the liquid and. unaccompanied by the exercise of the force of conipressed air.

So far as described, the construction is. the same essentially as is set forth in patent to F. M. Leavitt, No. 1,022,486, dated Apri 9, 1912.

It will be observed that the air flask B is closed at its aft end by the head B in the well known manner. This construction leaves a joint 'at x where the respective flanges fit together, through which joint there is a Vpossibility of leakage of com pressed air. There is also another joint at where the outlet pipe a is coupled to the head. Leakage of air through either of these joints would generate a pressure in the waterreservoir I, if this pressure were' not relieved.

In my Patent No. 1,125,97 9, dated January 26, 1915, is set forth a relief or vent valve for venting pressures due to slow leakage, into the' water reservoir, suchpressures beino venteddirectly `outward into the sure rounding water through an opening Cornel* opening the valves K and L,y

dent with the filling plug through which water and alcohol are introduced. The present invention provides an alternative and improved means for venting air pressure from the chamber or compartment l.

rl`he present invention provides a vent valve Q which is applied preferably outside of the compartment, and which communicates therewith through a tube 5 which passes through the rear wall or flange at 6 and terminates in an opening 7 which is located at the top of the compartment I and at approximately the middlethereof in fore and aftI direction, and preferably at a point directly above the center when the torpedo lies trim or level. The construction is such that any air pressure in the compartment l Hows to this opening 7 and thence through the tube 5 to the she-ll of the valve Q, and from the latter through a tube 8 to any suitable connection with the conduit la.. For clearness this connection is shown as an external pipe, but in practice it may be joined directly to the passage within the shell a' of the valves L, K. The leakage outflowing through 8 and L enters pipe b, through which it flows into the superheater D, and thence by tube c to the turbine, and thence into the afterbody of the torpedo, which is freely vented. The valve Q is so constructed that a free ventage occurs by the route just described whenever the valve is open, as it is designed to be at all times after the air pressure is pumped up in the air flask,

and before the torpedo is being prepared for firing.

In preparing a torpedo for firing it `is customary in testing the steering apparatus, to roll it over laterally. It is important to prevent outflow of water from the reservoir through the tube 5 and its described connections, which would be liable to occur when the torpedo is rolled far enough to submerge the outlet 7. For this purpose provision is made for closing the valve Q so' as to shut off communication between the tubes 5 and 8.

The construct-ion whereby this is accomplished will be apparent from Fig. 2. The valve Q is formed with a valve shell 9 of suitable construction, formed in any suitable way with an internal seat 10 against. which seats tappet valve 11 which is nor Inally pressed up by a spring l2. The valve 11 is normally held open by some suitable means for holding it open, which in the construction shown is a screw plug 13 acting through a movable internal stem 14. Wheii the screw plug is screwed fully down, the valve 1l is unseated enough to permit a free flow of air from tube into and through the spring chamber 15, thence between the valve and its seat, and through the valve seat to a chamber 16 on the up v per side of theseat, and thence out through igiisgeee tube le' and its connections to the 'afterb'odjyg this being the normal open position of the valve. y y

lVhen', however, itis desired to close the valve to prep'arcthe torpedo for launching, the screw plug 13, whichl is accessible from the exterior, is unscrewed tol a suitable extent (for example, two turns),which permits the valve 11 to be lifted by its spring 12' and closed againstY the seat 1Q, thereby shut-` ting off outflow of air. o Or the 4screw plug 123 may be wholl'gr removed, if-preferred.

The same closing ofthe valve should be accomplished before the filling of the com-v partment I with water, in order that when the water rises to the normal .water level and therebyV trapsthe air fabove, the latter may notl be vented or .escape,and ,will thus act in the norma-l manner to prevent filling in water above the proper level.. .y

When the torpedo is ready to beentered into'thelaunchingtube, the' screw plugl should be screwed downl against its seat so as todrestore the' parts to the position shown in Fig. 2. If, however, this should be for gotten, or if the plug 13 has been removed and not replaced, the proper functioning of the torpedo will not thereby be interfered with.

Upon the launching of the torpedo the air, entering at sa;7 400 pounds pressure from tube it b v tube 8 entering the chamber 16. will press downward the valve 11, and, if the plug 13 is suflicientlv unscrewed, will force upward the stem 14 in its effort to escape through the plug opening. In the latter action the stem 14 acts as acheck valve to stop the flow, by having a flange 16 which seats against a seat 17 within the shell. On the other hand, the pressing down of the valve 11 shuts off any7 outflow of air through the tube 5 b v reason of the stem portion of the valve 11 being formed as a piston valve 18 which, as it moves down. enters within a bore 19. in the valve shell in which the stem portion of the valve isl guided, and thus acts to shut off the outflow of air to the tube 5. rIhe stem portion has central bore 20, and lateral openings 21 through which, in the normal position of the parts, as shown in Fig. 2, the air freelv flow. The stem 11i also is bored through tubularly, andhas a lateral vent opening for admitting'compressed air within it to start the separating movement of the stem 14 and valve 11, which move in contrary directions to the respective positions shown in Fig. 3.

The purpose of closing the valve 11 by its abnormal descending movement to the position shown in Fig. 3 to shut off the flow of air from 8 to 5, and thence into the water compartment, is to prevent the generation of premature pressure on the water in advance of the pressure which erpels the alcohol, and which might result in expelling thewater too'rapi'dly, so that the water sprav .ini the superheater would occur in advance of lthe alcohol spray and Hthereby hinder or prevent ignition.

The' preferable construction'of'.valvefQ is' construction, 'but be varied or modified as desired.

Thel filling plug R is of the usual constructionfwith the usual alcohol vfillino` phw S' alignment beneath it.v The shell of the plug is extended downward by a sleeved, as 1n said vPatent No.-'1,125,979, but with` out the internal vent or safety valvel of that patent;

' The present invention is not limited to the precise details of construction set forth, as these may be greatly varied within the scope of the appended claims.

7 hat I claim is: l

1. In a torpedo having a. liquid compartment, means for freely venting gaseous pressure therefrom to the interior of the torpedo, and a normally-open valve for 'closing such vent at Will.

2. In a. torpedo having a liquid compartment, means for freely venting gaseous pressure therefrom to the interior of the torpedo, comprising atube leading from above the liquid level to av conduit discharging to the a-fterbody, and a normally-open valve for closing such vent at will.

3. In a torpedo having a liquid compartment, a pressure reducer, a superheater, a valved conduit from beyond such reducer to the top of said compartment for conducting pressure to such compartment after launching, a valved conduit from the lower part thereof for conducting heater, `and a normally-open vent for discharging gaseous pressure from said con1- partment to the conduit beyond the reducerq before the charged torpedo is launched, and means for closing said ventat will.

et. In a torpedo having a. liquid compart-l ment, means for freely venting gaseous presF sure therefrom to the interior of the torpedo, and a normally-open valve for closing -such vent at will, said valve having openthe torpedo.

`5. In a torpedo having` a liquid compa-rtnient, means for venting gaseous pressurev therefrom to the inte-rior of the torpedo, and a valve for closing such vent at will, said liquid to said supers ing means accessible from the exterior of valve comprising a shell containing a valve seat, with a. tappet movable against said seat, and opening means for ui'iseating it.

6. The combination of claiml 5, the valve having a seating spring whereby on the withdrawal of the opening means it seats to close the vent.

The combinationl 01"' ing means being a screw plug.

S. rI`he combination of claim 5, movable valve stem interposed between the opening means and tappet.

9. In a torpedo having a liquid compartment, means for venting gaseous pressure therefrom to the interior of the torpedo, and a normally-open valve for closing such vent at will, such valve being adapted to pre-v vent a return flow oit pressure through such vent into the compartment.

V`10.-'I`he subject-matter rof claim 9, with opening means for unseating thevalve to render the vent operative, the valve `adapted to close against a return flow of pressure towad said compartment.

l1. In a `torpedo having a liquid compartclaim 5, the open with av ment, means for venting gaseous pressure therefrom to the interior of the torpedo.l and a valve for closing such vent at will, such valve comprising an opener and two valve ele1nents,'the one adapted tov close the vent or to open the vent when displaced by said opener, and the other adapted to prevent escape of pressure when the opener' is retracted.

12. In a torpedo having a liquid compartment, means for venting gaseous pressure therefrom to the interior of the torpedo, and a valve for closing such vent at will, such valve comprising a shell, a spring pressed valve therein tending to close such vent, an opener comprising a1 screw plug, and an intervening stem whereby the screwing linof the plug opens `said valve, and a second valve formed; on said stem and adapted to close when the screw plug is retracted to prevent escape of pressure through the plug openino.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

WILLIAM DIETER 

